Our goal is for our pets to thrive rather than merely survive – an impossibility unless we begin with a foundation of good nutrition. Being your pet’s caregiver is a big responsibility as you are in total control of your pet’s lifestyle, nutrition, and medical care for their entire lives.
Protein in dog and cat food should be from meat. Foods containing soy, gluten, or other grain-based proteins are not optimal nutrition. Higher-quality foods and fresh foods tend to have higher protein levels. In general, foods with meat by-products or meat meal should be avoided. Not all by-products are bad, in fact, organ meats – considered a by-product – are fully packed with nutrition. However, the vagueness of the term by-product can mean contaminants as well.
Too much fat can lead to weight gain but certain fats are essential for life. Essential fatty acids are fats the body cannot make and must be included in the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are mainly found in fish and should be supplemented in the diet to ensure adequate levels. Medium chain triglycerides, such as coconut oil, are also a great addition to a dog’s diet.
Low amounts of carbohydrates can be useful in the diet for a quick source of energy. Dogs and cats have evolved to thrive on low amounts of carbs, but excessive amounts can lead to weight gain, inflammation, and potentially disease. In addition, carbohydrates such as gluten and soy are likely to be genetically modified, whereas, better grains such as millet, barley, and oats are less likely to be genetically modified. Most commercial kibble contains more carbohydrates than your pet needs. Even “grain-free” and “low carb” are too high in carbohydrates. Carbs are used in pet food because they are a cheap source of energy and necessary to make extruded dry dog food. Dry kibble is made via the extrusion process. The high heat needed to extrude kibble produces toxins.
Optimal nutrition is best achieved with fresh-whole food diets. Canned foods are also processed at very high temperatures, which causes loss of nutrients and production of toxins. Alternatives to kibble and canned foods are low-temperature processed foods (freeze-dried diets) or fresh food diets (raw or lightly cooked) whole foods.
Adequate water consumption is also critical for well-being. Dogs and cats require between 45-65 mls per kilogram (pounds divided by 2.2) of body weight per day. Ways to increase water consumption are to have free access to multiple sources of water all times of the day and to change the water frequently. Cats prefer wider bowls, so their whiskers don’t touch the sides of the bowl. Consider running water such as fountains for picky drinkers. Also, choose foods that have a higher water content. Canned or fresh, whole food diets have a much higher moisture content than kibble.
Diets high in legumes should not be fed to certain breeds of dogs. Recently, dogs found to be primarily in the retriever family have increasingly been diagnosed with a diet-induced, life-threatening form of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). If caught in time the condition can be fully reversible. It is suggested that the ingredient found in many high-quality commercial brands of dog food is legumes.
Schedule a nutrition consult. We strongly urge you to schedule a nutrition consult with Dr. Woerner. During this consult, we will discuss types of foods, calorie requirements, supplements, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Call to schedule a nutrition consult today!
Preferred Food Retailers:
Visit the Purcellville, Pet Supplies Plus. We know the staff at Pet Supplies Plus, a specialty pet food store in Purcellville, VA. They carry a wide assortment of pet foods, fresh raw, dehydrated raw, canned, and kibble forms. We will work with the staff at Pet Valu to pick the appropriate food for your pet if you choose to visit them.
Visit Pet Supplies Plus in Purcellville, VA!